Letter to the Editor

Northern Daily
May 27, 2006

There aren't many times in our lives that we can both make and save history. This is one of those times.

Frederick County is growing in what appears to be a poorly planned pattern of urban sprawl that is threatening the quality of our air, our water and, without a doubt, our quality of life.

The quality of air in the area is unacceptable. There is an alarming rate of cancer diagnoses in Frederick County. It is the responsibility of the elected officials, as well as the citizens, to stop the trail of bad decisions that continues to turn the county we live in into one that we would prefer to vacate.

In an application being considered by Frederick County officials, O-N Minerals (Chemstone) is requesting approval to expand their operations into a size that exceeds that of historic Middletown. This will place an unacceptable burden on the historic town itself, as well as many of the natural resources that are unique to this part of the Shenandoah Valley.

If the application is approved for the expansion of this strip-mining operation, the air quality, water availability, traffic issues, noise pollution, and quality of life will continue a downward spiral from which I doubt we will ever recover.

This proposed expansion will destroy the historic nature of Middletown as well as Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park. Senator Warner noted, “Virginia's battlefields represent a unique historic treasure." Senator Allen said, "Preserving our Commonwealth’s rich history is an important and worthwhile investment.”

Cedar Creek Battlefield is in the top 25 most endangered historic battlefields in the nation. Its profound historical significance deserves our careful stewardship.

Allowing O-N Minerals to expand would be in direct opposition to everything the Shenandoah Valley represents. Please make your voice heard and send a message to the Frederick County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to deny this request for rezoning.

Paul F. Kisak
Middletown